FAQs - VaticanTour.com - MaximusTours

Maximus Tours books all tickets in advance ensuring a priority entrance into all sites.

All travellers are required to bring ID on the day of the tour. Students (18 - 25yrs) will be asked to show a student ID and proof of age. Children (17yrs and under) will be asked to show proof of age. (Click here for more info on reduced entrance fees)

Maximus Tours also makes all reservations in advance to enter the Colosseum ensuring a priority entrance. The Colosseum only allows a certain amount of people into the arena at once so again, during the extremely busy days there may also be a short wait to enter the Colosseum, even with our priority entrance.

We have a priority entrance into the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica as all tickets and reservations are made in advance. The lines are due to security checkpoints located at the entrance to both the museums and St. Peter's Basilica. Your guide will be able to purchase your tickets from the group ticket counter available only to tour guides. This enables you to avoid having to wait in a second line for tickets. We also use the Tour guides exit from the Sistine Chapel to reach St. Peter's Basilica bypassing the security checkpoint at the Church. (Usually open 6 days a week except when masses/celebrations are being held in the Basilica, we cannot be held responsible in the event that this exit is closed)

When booking a semi private tour you will be asked to pay either a deposit of 50% or payment in full (tour cost and entrance fees included). If you decide to place a deposit of 50% then the remaining balance will be asked of you on the day of the tour, payable directly to the guide in Euro cash.

If you book a private tour you will again be asked to pay either a deposit of 50% or payment in full of the tour cost. Entrance fees are not included in the cost of the private tour so in this case the entrance fees will be asked from you on the day of the tour, payable directly to the guide in Euro cash.

We DON'T charge any commission on entrance fees, you will pay exactly whatever the Vatican or Colosseum charge us. Please bring change. Thank you!

Vatican:

To get a Student discount at the Vatican Museums you need to be under 26yrs of age and have a Valid Student ID from your place of study with birth date and photo proof at time of tour. It doesn't have to be a European ID but anything that proves that you attend a College or University. If your ID doesn't have a photo or your date of birth you will also need a passport or a driving license along with the Student card. For High school students (16 and under) a passport is usually fine if accompanied by a parent or adult.

ATTENTION: Students 18 - 25yrs MUST have Valid Student ID at the time of tour. VIP Tickets are purchased in advance, without student ID tickets proof will be invalid. A NEW FULL PRICED TICKET will need to be purchased in accordance to the rules of the Vatican.

Colosseum:

In order to ensure a priority entrance into the Colosseum, all ticket costs are charged at the full rate of €18 per person.

CHILDREN at the Vatican. Any proof of age/identity with photo is needed, Passport, Id, etc.. (Photocopies are OK) more. Or Ticket will be cancelled and NEW FULL PRICED TICKET will need to be purchased in accordance to the Vatican rules.

Soon after payment is completed you will receive an automated Booking Confirmation e-mail (e-ticket). with your Meeting Point, Map & and all relevant information you need for your tour. This normally takes between 1 to 5 minutes. (As the E-Mail contains a map as an attachment PLEASE CHECK YOUR BULK / SPAM FOLDER!!!) If you are making a very last minute booking and you didn't receive your E-TICKET please contact us if possible by phone. We highly recommend that you print your E-ticket but you DON'T HAVE TO PRINT IT. You can show up just with the E-Ticket number, the tour guide will have already all your details. If the E-Ticket is not received within 6hrs please contact us and we will re-send the information manually. If confirmation is needed before 24hrs for tours the same day and for last minute bookings you can request the E-Ticket to be sent manually if the information hasn't been received automatically.

In the case of the Vatican, while the museums follow a strict schedule, St. Peter's Basilica may sometimes be closed to tourists if a mass is taking place. We do our best to keep up to date with any celebrations and while most are listed on the Papal Calendar the Vatican may sometimes schedule celebrations in the Basilica without prior warning, As the Basilica is a holy place it is their right do to do so and we respect the fact that St. Peter's is a Church not just a tourist site. If the Basilica is closed to visitors then the tour will conclude in the Sistine Chapel.

You will be able to skip the long line of St. Peter's Basilica and have an introduction of the church from the outside. The guide will explain the most important sites in the Basilica such as the works by Bernini, Michelangelo and other great artists. You will also learn about St. Peter's Square, the Swiss Guards, the Papal Palace etc.. The tour will conclude directly in front of the church, past all security lines and checkpoints. YOU ARE THEN FREE TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME INSIDE THE BASILICA AS YOU WISH. You are also welcome to climb the Dome of the Basilica, or go down below to see the many tombs of past Popes.

All religious sites especially the Vatican have a strict dress code for men and women. Modest dress is required for both men and women. No bare knees, no bare shoulders and no bare stomachs. As the summer is very hot in Rome and you plan on wearing shorts/skirts/dresses, please make sure that the clothing falls below the ball of the knee.

Some sites like the Vatican have made the use of headsets in some areas obligatory. Where headsets are needed no extra charge will be incurred and we choose only the best sound system for a more enjoyable experience. As this is a service which we personally pay for we ask that all clients respect the fact that we are responsible for any lost or missing radios. You will be billed personally for any radio not given back to the guide at the end of the tour.

Once you have booked your tour you will receive an e-mail confirmation containing all relevant details and a map to show you exactly where your guide will be waiting along with the time and directions to the site.

Yes, you will need to pre book all tours. As we are committed to small groups with priority entrance we must make all reservations in advance.

Unfortunately wheelchair access to some sites is limited. All our semi private tours are classed as walking tours so please contact us personally if anybody in your party has a walking disability or uses a wheelchair as some tours may only be available as a private tour. We're happy to provide further information.

General Items which are strictly forbidden include pocket knives/pen knives, medium and large backpacks, tripods and large sized umbrellas. As you must pass through security to enter the Vatican if you are carrying any of the mentioned items you will either be refused entry or be required to check the item, bag, umbrella, etc. Having to check in your belongings can prove to be a big inconvenience and may result in you missing part of your tour.

Rome is generally a safe city but unfortunately pickpockets are rife. Take care with bags and wallets particularly when using public transport. Ie: Metro, buses and in busy areas. Being aware is always a good prevention.

All semi private tours offer a free cancelation if cancelled within 48 hours of the scheduled departure time. Some private tours do not offer a 48 hour cancellation so please read the cancellation policy or your specific tour before booking.

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TAXI NUMBERS: 06 3570

Keep our phone number handy so you can contact us if you're having trouble finding the meeting point.

AIRPORT INFORMATION:

Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci (06/65951; 06/65953640 English-language flight information. www.adr.it).
Aeroporto Ciampino (Via Appia Nuova. 06/794941).